"Too many people in our hemisphere grow, sell, and use illegal
drugs. The United States is responsible to fight its own
demand for drugs. And we will expand our efforts to work
with producer and transit countries to fortify their democratic
institutions, promote sustainable development, and
fight the supply of drugs at the source. This is the
message I carried yesterday to the leaders of the Andean
countries. The United States appreciates the difficult
challenges they face in fighting drugs -- and stands ready to be their
partner."

President George W. Bush
April 21, 2001

The Andean region represents a challenge for United States foreign
policy. Democracy is under pressure there, economic
development is slow, and progress towards liberalization is
inconsistent. The Andean region produces virtually all of
the world's cocaine and an increasing amount of heroin, thus presenting
a direct threat to our public health and national
security. These issues are interrelated and need to be
addressed comprehensively to advance U.S. interests in the region, and
promote a stable, prosperous Hemisphere.

The President listened to the Andean leaders' concerns about
"spill-over" when he met with them April 20 and discussed ways in which
best to address this potential problem. In order to assist
the Andean countries, the Bush Administration requested $882 million in
the FY 2002 budget in international affairs funding for democratic
institution building and development assistance as well as counter-drug
programs in the seven countries included in the initiative: Bolivia,
Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. More
than half of the assistance is for Colombia's neighbors, while the
remainder is for sustaining ongoing programs in
Colombia. Also, the assistance is nearly evenly
split between
democracy promotion and law enforcement and security
assistance. We have consulted with these countries and our
initiative was well received. The keys to success in the
region's fight against drugs are persistence and increased
cooperation.

To bolster economic growth and prosperity in the Andes the President
supports renewal of the Andean Trade Preference Act and expansion of
its benefits for Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The
legislation was originally enacted in 1991 to provide economic
alternatives so people can earn an honest living and turn away from
illegal drug trafficking. It has been successful and needs
to be continued.